Management Bios
Arthur J. Prieston
Mr. Prieston has been a pioneer in the mortgage banking industry in the detection, prevention, and resolution of mortgage fraud and its consequences for more than twenty years. He began his career as an attorney specializing in mortgage fraud law, and over the ensuing years developed proprietary systems and processes that ensured quality lending practices, and protected both borrowers and lenders against fraud and misrepresentation.
As Chairman of The Prieston Group (TPG), he now leads a diversified company that offers the only fully integrated suite of mortgage fraud protection, mitigation, and indemnification services in the industry. These services include institutional and mortgage loan due diligence, fraud detection and prevention training, and ongoing education in quality lending and best business practices. They also include mortgage fraud protection via Lender Representation and Warranty Insurance coverage offered exclusively through PBIS Insurance Services, Inc., a Prieston Group Affiliate company.
Mr. Prieston is also Founder of the American Mortgage Law Group (AMLG). In this capacity, he has been instrumental in creating one the strongest, most experienced mortgage banking legal practices in the country. AMLG attorneys are specialists in mortgage fraud loss mitigation, investigation, recovery analysis, foreclosure, demand management, and litigation.
Mr. Prieston was co-founder and past co-chair of most of the industry trade association fraud committees and subcommittees including the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Legal Issues Subcommittee on Fraud, the Mortgage Quality Assurance Council and the California Mortgage Bankers Association Legal Services Subcommittee on Fraud. Additionally, he has authored or co-authored over thirty articles and papers dealing with the various aspects of mortgage fraud and is sought out by legislature and by industry press on a regular basis, with testimony provided to following federal and state governmental bodies:
- US House of Representatives: Financial Services Committee, Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity: "Mortgage Fraud and its Impact on Mortgage Lenders", October 2004
- NY State Assembly: Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Standing Committee on Housing, Standing Committee on Banks: "House Flipping and Internet Housing Sales", December 2004
- GA House of Representatives: Committee on Banks and Banking: "Georgia Residential Mortgage Fraud Act", February 2005
Atousa Badgett
VP of Mortgage Operational Safety Assessment (MOSA™) and Claims Administration
In her role as Vice President of Mortgage Operational Safety Assessment (MOSA™) and Claims Administration, Mrs. Badgett is responsible for performing operational reviews, establishing and implementing policies and procedures, training and claims administration. Mrs. Badgett has been with The Prieston Group since 2008.
Prior to joining The Prieston Group, Mrs. Badgett was the Vice President of Risk Management and Pre Funding Quality Assurance at Paul Financial, LLC. During her 25 years of experience in the financial industry and mortgage banking Mrs. Badgett has held senior positions in quality control, due diligence, risk assessment and investigations, specializing in fraud prevention, detection and recovery analysis.
Mrs. Badgett has been called upon by law firms to serve as an expert witness in cases involving loan fraud. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of San Francisco.